#HIGHFIVE (Final First Half Blast): Tyler Tolbert Rises to The Top With Record-Breaking Hitting Exhibition

Tyler Tolbert takes the top spot on our #HighFive list for the first time in his career, doing so in historic fashion: tying the Major League record by recording a hit in 12 consecutive at-bats.

1. Tyler Tolbert

In the final #HighFive of the first half of the season, a first-time member claims the top spot.

‘Have Him As a Safety Blanket”: Tyer Tolbert’s Value To Kansas City Royals Can’t Be Questioned

The Birmingham, Alabama native and UAB alum Tyler Tolbert, who is in his second Major League season with the Kansas City Royals, joined an exclusive club of only five players to get hits in 12 consecutive at-bats.

His streak began July 4th with a two-hit, two stolen base performance against the Philadelphia Phillies and ended with an 0-for-3 Wednesday. The bat he used to tie the record was sent to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Hot streaks like this tell the story on the caliber of player Tolbert could be, yet he is still in a daily fight to earn Major League playing time and has been doing everything possible to keep his name in the lineup.

On the season, he is slashing .373/.411/.921 with 10 stolen bases and five RBIs.

2. Taj Bradley

Taj Bradley is in the middle of what may be the best stretch of his career as he slides into the two spot on our Week 15 #HighFive.

He struck out 10 batters in seven innings, allowing only one run and three hits Wednesday night against the Cleveland Guardians.

Taj Bradley Is Making A Case For Minnesota Twins Ace

That makes 21 strikeouts in the last two games for Bradley, who was also featured on last week’s list.

Over his last four starts, he has posted a 2.25 ERA with 32 strikeouts and only eight walks in 24 innings.

Bradley is expected to take the mound Sunday in the final game before the All-Star Break against Jo Adell and the Los Angeles Angels.

Ending his first half on a high-note would be a huge confidence boost for him to carry into the second half of the season.

3. “Money” Michael Harris

“Money” Mike took his All-Star snub personal, hitting .400 in his last seven games to take the three spot on our #HighFive.

Michael Harris II is Back to His Rookie of the Year Form at the Plate

Michael Harris has made a strong case for being the 2026 MLBbro.com Player of the Year, however one accolade he did not receive left a vast majority of the baseball world confused.

Despite leading all Major League center fielders in batting average and ranking in the top 5 for hits, slugging percentage, RBIs and OPS, he was left off the National League All-Star roster.

Although his Atlanta Braves have struggled since losing Ronald Acuna Jr. to a hamstring injury over 20 games ago, Harris continues to do his part. Over his last seven games he has a .400 average and on-base percentage, nine RBIs and two steals entering their weekend series against All-Star and Home Run Derby participant Jordan Walker and the St. Louis Cardinals.

4. James Wood

James Wood is beginning to be treated like a modern-day Barry Bonds as he finds himself in the cleanup spot on our Week 15 #HighFive list.

James Wood Didn’t Waste Time Becoming An All-Star

Wood’s bat has been so hot that the Houston Astros decided not even to deal with him during Wednesday night’s game as they decided to walk him three times. During those plate appearances, he saw 14 total pitches, with just two of them being strikes.

He homered three times since the 4th of July, one of which was a grand slam to cap off a six-run inning for his Washington Nationals on Monday, while the other two leadoff shots give him eight on the year. That trails only Alfonso Soriano’s nine for the most in a season in their franchise’s history.

Wood will bring a .364/.600/1.045 slashline over his last seven games into their weekend series against the New York Yankees.